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Some pointers on how to get kids into fly fishing

Posted
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 11:49 am

Column by Ron Hellbusch

Trout fishing is on the rise (pardon the pun) becoming the most intriguing and interesting fishing style being pursued today.

This growing interest is surfacing among both genders and in all age’s ranks. Trout Unlimited chapters across the country are fostering this interest in a variety of ways.

If you fish let me encourage you to become a TU member. Contact our nearby West Denver Trout Unlimited office at wdtu.email@gmail.com.

TU member Kirk Deeter posted a recent TU piece to help seasoned fly anglers mentor young anglers. Deeter’s “Teaching Kids to Fly Fish: The Five Golden Rules” are summarized here to help us guide and encourage kids.

1. Success Fuels Interest. Fish where you know there are fish and fish that pursue flies and fish that can be caught with some regularity.

2. There is no such thing as a “bad” cast. There are casts that will catch a fish and a lot that don’t. Patience and practice time on the water will help young anglers get a sense of how the catching part works.

3. Let Them Choose the gear. Offer some practical ideas. Kids might be attracted to a specific rod length, maybe reel size or color, or equipment that looked like what grandpa had years ago. Ownership breeds confidence.

4. It’s never too early for a conservation ethic. Make it a priority to handle the fish gently, release them back to the water carefully and quickly, look for and dispose of trash, explain fishing regulations and encourage the young person to understand and follow them.

5. Let Them Teach you. After some orientation time on the stream sharing some basic elements of fish and water, let the young person select a pool or a run to fish. In a short time, allow them to select a fly pattern they think might attract the trout. Encourage them to execute a fly cast they think will present best.

You will build their confidence and create an excitement and sense of challenge in their learning stages of fly fishing.

The season is here; create the opportunity for some kids to venture into the world of fly fishing. We will gain a fishery conservationist and introduce a young person to the beauty and mystery of the outdoors.

An avid outdoorsman, Ron Hellbusch can be reached at Ron-Hellbusch@comcast.net.

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